Northern Health talks recruitment, retention as it seeks to fill hundreds of vacancies

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Northern Health states it is continuing to focus on recruitment and retention as it faces hundreds of open job vacancies. 

On October 28th, in a statement to Energeticcity.ca, Northern Health explained it was actively working to improve its recruitment and retention in the region. 

According to Northern Health, as of October 28th, the health authority has 857 open job postings for a range of careers “across the spectrum of healthcare delivery” across its entire service delivery area, including nurses, pharmacists and laboratory technicians. 

The health authority also has posted 115 positions for physician positions, specifically for general practitioners, surgeons and other medical specialists. 

When asked whether these efforts are helping to even out the numbers of healthcare workers in the region, Northern Health stated it had gained 555 net regular employees in the past 12 months. 

“Since spring 2025, [our] baseline vacancy rate has decreased from 20.1 per cent to 17.9 per cent,” the health authority stated. 

Northern Health also stated it was exploring virtual care, and detailed two programs for virtual emergency services it currently supports. 

In Fort Nelson and Chetwynd, Northern Health explained it had partnered with the Rural Coordination Centre of BC to receive Virtual Emergency Room Rural Assistance (VERRa) for overnight virtual physician coverage. 

“This ensures that emergency departments are supported in a proactive schedule to support the local providers and reduce overnight call-ins,” Northern Health stated. 

“This hybrid model ensures that northerners have access to timely and effective care, especially in communities facing staffing challenges or service interruptions.” 

The health authority is also trialling a pilot project with Teladoc Health Canada in the Prince George Urgent and Primary Care Centre, Fraser Lake Community Health Centre and Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre in Burns Lake.

When asked about updates on the future of the Tumbler Ridge Health Centre’s emergency department, the health authority stated the latest information available was included in a community update released on October 14th.